5 Great Money Saving Ideas for Camping

Are you getting ready for camping season? Looking for ways to save? Here are 5 great money saving ideas for camping season.

May long weekend in Canada is typically the kick off weekend for the camping season. Every May long weekend in our house we get ready for the one and usually only camping trip of the year. It is a tradition with friends that started 6 years ago that I will never give up, even though I’m not a huge fan of camping! I used to make jokes about people that go camping thinking why work to go pretend to be homeless? Now I understand the quiet refresh of no technology and the beauty of nature. But camping isn’t always cheap! Here are a few easy and simple ways you can save this camping season.

5 Ways to Save Money Camping!

Make a list. There is nothing worse than getting out to the middle of nowhere to realize that you forgot your contact solution or allergy medication (trust me I know!). Save yourself the gas money and mark up charges of forgotten items by making a list and storing it with your camping stuff. It will make packing easier and less likely you will forget things! Now on the off chance you do forget things, take some paper and a pen with you so you can make a note to add to your list for next time!

Make your own ice. At $2-$3 a bag for ice that can really add up over the camping season! I know that we usually need 3 bags for the one cooler and then another 3 bags for the adult beverage cooler. Or more! So if I start spending $15/ trip on ice, if I camped 10 times this year that is $150 that literally just melted away and I dumped it on the ground! If you have an ice maker at home put it to work! A week before your trip start filling plastic bags or containers with ice. I also love to use empty milk jugs, fill it with water and toss it in the freeze and bam, a giant ice block!

Camp for free.

A few years ago friends asked us to go camping near town at a local site. I was shocked when I went in to pay for the two days and it cost me $75! I had water and power hookups which is something I had never paid for before so I was a bit stunned! If you’re a pretty serious camper you probably have everything so that you won’t need hookups. Use the free provincial sites or a recreational map to help find beautiful spots that don’t cost! For some ideas on places in BC check out the BC Parks website.

Don’t buy new! You may love hitting up Canadian Tire or Outdoor World when camping season hits but the markup on new items is HUGE! Save yourself some big cash by hitting garage sales, thrift stores, swap sites or mom’s house! If you are using it for camping it won’t be looking new for long so save some money and buy used!

Meal Plan and Shop Before. Just like I tell people to meal plan during the week to save on groceries, the same can be said for camping. If your house is like mine camping usually has a lot of snacks and treats that we normally don’t buy. Chips for example are something I rarely buy at home but always buy for camping. Snack type foods are considerably cheaper at the grocery store compared to a local gas station. By planning out your meals and buying everything in one stop at the grocery store you’re savings will add up quick!

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